Victory Team lines up two-boat charge in Clearwater powerboating

Dubai’s Victory Team has ensured a strong and fruitful two-boat, four-driver debut as it marks its trans-Atlantic foray at this week’s Super Boat International (SBI) to be held in Clearwater, Florida.

Held for more than three decades now, the SBI Championship is considered one of the most challenging races for dual-engine powerboats. And with just two operative rules – the boat length has to be from 40 to 50 feet and the engine power must match or exceed 2,200 hp – Victory Team has decided to send two boats for the annual competition.

In the first boat will be reigning Class One world champions Salem Al Adidi and Eisa Al Ali, while former world champions Gary Ballough and John Tomilson will be in the second blue boat.

Termed the 10th Annual Hooters Clearwater Super Boat International Championship presented by Visit St. Pete, Clearwater, the SBI Championship is the leading North American professional powerboat organisation for Class One powerboats founded by John Carbonell.

Like in the past 30-odd years, teams from all around the world have confirmed their participation for the series of races held from May through to October in the National Series Points races. The concluding round is the now famous Key West World Championships that are scheduled to be held from November 4-11.

HE Huraiz Bin Huraiz, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Victory Team spelt out the motives behind Victory Team’s first-time participation in Clearwater. “Firstly, we need to know where we stand in the tough and demanding world of powerboat racing. Victory Team has been world champions in Class One powerboating on several occasions, but we felt that we needed to step it up and step out of our comfort zone and see where we stand in a totally different set-up,” Huraiz told media before the team left for the US earlier this week.

“No doubt this is a challenge that we feel we can face up to, especially given the talent pool of home-bred drivers and crew. Our leadership has always been clear on accepting bigger challenges and we feel that with our participation in Clearwater Dubai will have yet another unique opportunity to shine on a truly world stage,” he added.

Victory Team has already shipped two of their best Class One boats across to Clearwater along with their mechanical crew. Victory Team will first compete in the final round of the national championship this weekend (September 28-30) and then in the season-finale in the island city of Key West, Florida from November 4-11.

“Now is the time for the men in blue to set foot on distant lands along with their dreams. I am confident that our drivers and crew will be up to the challenge of contesting for the title among the best drivers and boats in the world,” Huraiz noted.